AYURVEDIC BODY TREATMENTS

Abhyangam (Full Body Massage)
Duration: (60) minutes

Abhyangam is an ancient massage therapy to heal and detoxify Body, Mind and Spirit. This ayurvedic detox and stress reduction therapy is performed by special herb infused warm oil poured on the body and gently massaged into the skin. The massage is deeply relaxing that strengthens and revitalizes the entire body.Regular practice of abhyangam improves blood circulation as well as lymph flow. It helps in toning of body tissues and reducing wrinkles. It pacifies the complete nervous system and improves sleep.

Garbhini abhyangam (Pre and Post Natal Massage)
Duration: [45] minutes

Being pregnant is a wonderful time of life, but it can also be an extremely uncomfortable period. Massage offers a safe and relaxing way to relieve some of pregnancy’s discomfort by nurturing both you and your baby & by increasing your energy levels. It also helps women to prepare her for the child birth, physically as well as emotionally.Specialized massage is given to the whole body which relaxes the nervous system and provides a balance of the body, mind and spirit. It soothes the common aches and pains of pregnancy by increasing circulation in the most affected areas such as feet, legs and back. The application of the warm medicated oil is nourishing for the skin as well as joints and muscles that stretch to accommodate the baby.It can only be performed in low risk pregnancy after the first trimester through to post partum recovery

Prishta abhyangam (Back Massage)
Duration: [30] minutes

The first causalities of a stressful life are the shoulders and your back, resulting in tension and pain. This treatment has been created to eliminate tension and bring relief through a stimulating back and deep shoulder massage using herbs infused warm oil.It helps to relieve fatigue, aches, pain and stiffness. Therapeutically it is recommended in acute and chronic back pain, arthritis, sciatica, frozen shoulder, spasm, sports injuries and spinal disorders.

Pada Abhyangam (Leg and foot massage)
Duration: [30] minutes

The feet are the seat of marma points and many nerve endings; therefore are the keys to heal the entire body. This highly relaxing and de-stressing treatment uses special ayurvedic oils. It starts with firm massage of the lower leg followed by marma massage in the sole of the foot to revitalize the tired feet and legs and holistically rebalances the body, mind and soul.
It helps in reducing the muscle tension, swelling, aches and spasm.

Marma abhyangam (Pressure Point Massage)
Duration: [60] minutes

The word ‘marma’ is of Sanskrit origins and it means hidden or secret. In ayurvedic practice, the definition of a marma point is somewhat different: It is defined as an anatomical site where muscles, veins, arteries, tendons, ligaments, bones or joint intersect. The human body has about 107 marma points throughout the body and is considered essential for health. Marma massage involves a full body massage with warm medicated oil and then stimulating the marma points using clockwise and anticlockwise massaging movements to promote good blood flow, thereby promoting physical and mental rehabilitation.
Highly beneficial in nervousness and anxiety, light headedness, tingling in the fingertips and toes, stress and fatigue, physical weakness, muscular aches and pain. Stroke patients benefit from marma massage.

Udhvartanam (Powder Massage)
Duration: [60] minutes

The word udvartana is largely used for the most famous treatment in ayurveda for weight loss. This is a deep massage in which whole body is vigorously massaged with medicated powders prepared with various herbs. The powdered herbs are mildly heated and massaged using upward strokes i.e. done in opposite direction to that of the hair follicles to stimulate the breakdown of stored subcutaneous fat known as cellulite by increasing the basic metabolic rate. The deep massage improves the blood circulation; tone and strengthens muscles; imparts mobility to the joint and eases joint pain. It is also effective in certain kind of skin problems. It exfoliates the dead skin cells, thereby providing a glow to the skin and making it soft. It refreshes and rejuvenates the body bringing a sense of lightness. The most promising effect is the slimming of the body. It is most effective when taken as a package, where significant weight loss and cellulite reduction can be noticed.It is performed both dry and wet.

Nabhiabhyangam (Abdominal Massage)
Duration: [30] minutes

Nabhi is a marma (energy) point behind the naval region, so nabhi abhyangam is a treatment that works by stimulating and balancing the solar ‘sun’ vitality within us, through reflexology and marma massage. With regular massage of this area, blocked energy and tension gets released restoring the energy of the body.This luxurious and powerful abdominal massage strengthens the abdominal muscles and alleviates digestive problems. It is highly beneficial for post pregnancy toning, weight loss and digestive disorders such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, constipation, poor appetite and irritable bowel syndrome.

Pizhichil (Oil flow on whole body)
Duration: [60] minutes

This therapy is beautiful combination of two classical ayurvedic treatments, snehan (oleation) and swedana (sudation). This therapy was mostly used by maharajas in the olden days, and popularly known as treatment for aristocrats. Lukewarm medicated oil is poured over the whole body uniformly and gently massaged into the skin. Fresh medicated oil is used every day and the duration of the treatment is determined by the physician. Normally the treatment may last fourteen to twenty eight days. This is a highly rejuvenating treatment that enhances muscular tone and retunes the entire nervous system. Hence, it protects the body from illnesses and build up immunity for a healthy life. It is recommended for extremely high vata dosha types, rheumatic disease, arthritis, paralysis, sexual weakness, neurological disorders, muscular aches and pain, osteoarthritis, insomnia and depression. It tones and rejuvenates the skin and helps to arrest the ageing process.

Shirodhara (Oil flow on forehead)
Duration: [45] minutes

Shiro means ‘head’ and Dhara means ‘continuous flow of a liquid’. In this process warm herbal oils, milk or buttermilk, or decoctions are poured in a slow steady stream on your forehead after undergoing a revitalizing head, neck and shoulder massage. This treatment is profoundly relaxing and nourishing. A total feeling of wellness, mental clarity and comprehension is experienced in this process.
Shirodhara is highly effective to remove mental stress and anxiety. It is helpful in insomnia, migraine headaches, hypertension, and various neurological disorders.

Takradhara (Medicated Buttermilk flow)
Duration: [45] minutes

The word ‘Takra’ means buttermilk and ‘Dhara’ means pouring. Takradhara is a sudation therapy in which medicated buttermilk is poured in a continuous stream, in a specified manner. It can be done either as a shirodhara (pouring over the forehead) or dhara (pouring over the entire body). Buttermilk is supposed to have cooling properties and induces the same to the brain. This treatment relaxes and revitalizes the CNS and strengthens it.It is an excellent cure for chronic insomnia, psoriasis and other pitta aggravated diseases. It reduces stress and hypertension, cures premature graying of hair and improves vision. It improves the circulation in scalp region and aids in various hair problems.

Ksheeradhara (Medicated milk flow)
Duration: [45] minutes

Ksheerdhara is the treatment where the lukewarm medicated milk is made to flow in a slow constant rate over the forehead for a particular duration. Decoctions of various ayurvedic herbs are added to the milk. The medicated milk flows from the forehead to the scalp and hair which is accompanied by a gentle relaxing massage. It can be done either as a shirodhara (pouring over the forehead) or dhara (pouring over the entire body).This therapy is highly beneficial for vata and pitta predominant headaches, stress, insomnia and anxiety. It rejuvenates and nourishes the skin giving it a lustrous appearance. In certain neurological conditions especially those accompanied by burning sensation and numbness, Ksheerdhara is found to be highly beneficial.

Dhanyamla dhara (Medicinal Liquid flow)
Duration: [45] minutes

Dhanyamla (specially fermented medicinal preparation) dhara is a special kind of Ayurvedic massage therapy which includes pouring of lukewarm medicinal liquid over different body parts in a rhythmic manner. Medicated oil may or may not be applied on the body as per the individual condition. Dhanyamla dhara is kept lukewarm during the full course of the treatment procedure.The therapy is very effective in kapha-vata predominant conditions. It helps in reducing inflammation and muscular pain and activates nerves. It is a remedy for hemiplegia, paralysis, rheumatic complaints.

Podikizhi (Hot poultice massage)

Podikizhi is a type of ayurvedic massage treatment with bundles of herbal powder that induces sweating. Unlike the other procedures is mostly dry but may vary according to the condition of the body. Bundles are filled with medicated powder. The powder is prepared from different herbs which are dried and finely grounded and processed in selected medium and used accordingly. Moderate heat is required to induce sweat; therefore bundles are warmed up periodically and applied on the affected area or whole over the body.Podikizhi is very effective in arthritis with or without inflammation, back pain, paralysis, joint and muscle pain, spondylitis, slip disc, nerves weakness, sciatica, and other musculo-skeletal disorders.

Elakizhi (Herbal poultice massage)

Ela or ila or patra means leaves; Kizhi means bolus. It is one of the major sudation processes where the therapy is initiated with general body massage followed by massage using bolus of herbal leaves. Herbal leaves are selected, chopped and cooked in different oils according to the condition of the patient so as to enhance the healing effect. The massage can promote better circulation within the affected area thereby promoting increased perspiration, which help the skin to eliminate wastes. It also helps to tone the skin and can be superbly relaxing. It is highly effective in ailments affecting bones, joints and nervous system.

Njavarakizhi (Rice poultice massage)

Njavarakizhi is also known as shastikashali pinda swedanam. Njavara stands for rice that grows in 60 days and kizhi stands for bolus. Njavara is indigenous variety of rice having medicinal properties. It is a unique treatment procedure by which the whole body or any specific part is made to perspire. A generous amount of medicated oil is applied to the whole body and then the application of certain medicinal herbs with njavara rice puddings externally in the form of boluses tied up in a muslin bag.This procedure is highly rejuvenating, nourishing and prepares the individual to bear the stress of modern lifestyle. It enhances the physical consistency, strengthens the nervous system and improves the appearance of skin. It is highly effective treatment for neurological disorders, chronic rheumatism, limb emaciation, blood borne diseases, and paralysis and sports injuries.

Vasti therapies are used to cleanse, relax, soothe, nourish and rejuvenate the body in localized areas. It is a procedure where medicated oil is retained for a certain period of time in the specified region. A completely sealed walled boundary is made with the paste of black gram powder or wheat powder. The medicated oil is heated till it becomes lukewarm. This lukewarm medicated oil is then poured into the space inside the walled boundary in a constant and continuous stream. It is retained there for a particular period of time. The medicated oil is soaked up, heated to make lukewarm and then poured back again by adding fresh oil in it. This is repeated during the whole procedure to keep the oil warm. The duration of the treatment varies depending upon the condition of the individual or as directed by the physician.

‘Shiro’ means head. It is a part of panchakarma treatment. This is a special technique to administer oil on the head. A cap made of leather is fitted on the patients head and warm medicated oil is poured into it. Oil is retained for a certain period of time depending on the individual condition. This is an effective treatment for many diseases of the head, face, and central nervous system. Sirovasti is ideal for facial paralysis, migraine, head ache, insomnia, memory loss, mental stress, and dry nose, dryness of the eye and also for cervical spondylosis. Though useful in all Dosha types of ailments, the treatment is more useful in Vatta related diseases. The therapy has proven some benefits in treating excess hair loss.

The term ‘Greeva’ refers to neck region. The therapy improves circulation, muscle and connective tissue strength, lubricates the joints and promotes its flexibility. It alleviates cervical spondylitis, stiff neck, sore muscles, upper back aches etc.

The term ‘Janu’ refers to knee joint. This therapy helps in chronic knee pain and degenerative disorders. It gives strength to the supporting muscles of the knee joint. It is very effective in osteoarthritis of knee joint and in cases of ligament injuries. Benefits of janu vasti are pain relief, relaxation of muscles, knee fluid problem, increasing circulation, lubrication of the joints, flexibility etc.

You’re as young as your spine is healthy’. The term kati refers to lower back area. It helps in strengthening of the muscles especially those in the lower back region. It helps in alleviating neuronal complaints, lumbago and sciatica. The treatment is also effective in stiffness, muscular spasm, aches & pain and inflammations in the low back region.

Tarpanam is widely used for various conditions of the eyes. It is a procedure where medicated oil is retained in the eyes. Tharpanam ayurvedic therapy is said to improve eye sight, strengthen the optic nerve and prevent different eye diseases. It is basically an eye-cleansing process and gives a cooling effect to eyes.

Filling of medicated oil into the ears is known as Karnapurnam. This is practiced in healthy as well as in those with certain ear disorders. It specifically provides strength to the Karna (Ears). Indirectly it works on the whole body by improving the functioning of the endocrine glands.

Lepam is spreading of thick herbal paste on any afflicted area of the body. The paste is a blend of many potential herbs, spices, juices and buttermilk. This localized form of treatment relieves various inflammatory diseases of the body. These include Rheumatoid Arthritis, abscess, osteoarthritis, edema, backache, headache, skin diseases etc.

Pichu is an ayurvedic treatment popular among ayurveda acharyas. Pichu is an external oil application, superior to abhyanga in potency. Pichu is only done to a local area which is affected. It is done as a main treatment for head and spine or a simplified version of it is done along with other oil treatments like abhyanga. It is an effective method to treat the ailments of head, spine and diseases of cranial nerves caused by vata disorder.

Nasyam is a method where the medicated oil or herbal juices are administered through the nose. It acts by removing the excess humors accumulated in the different sinus cavities and throat. Nasyam is highly effective for different kinds of migraine, hormonal imbalances, paralysis, mental disorders, premature graying of hair, loss of smell and taste and even can add clarity to voice. It cleanses the different cavities and increases oxygenation thus improving brain functioning.